Doors

[Call to Neil D]

[The call with bail information comes from Sam's doctor late in the evening, because Sam is too sedated to call herself. Domestic assault in the first degree, class B felony, 5-15 year possible sentence, with bail set at 20,000 and payable in the morning. The doctor calls after Sam signs papers agreeing to the conversation, wanting to ensure Neil is aware of the situation prior to release, and wanting to ensure there will be a support system in place before she signs the authorization to medically release. In addition to the bail, there is a no-contact order with Iris, which will nullify the release if broken.]

[Private to Iris M.]
[After hearing about this.]

You have a paper journal, right?

[Residents of a certain neighborhood in Gotham notice that the Peaceful Passing Funeral Home has been quiet (moreso than usual) for the past week. Some of the windows have gone dark, and while vandals still stay away, there's a different sort of stillness settling over the building. It's not abandoned, not yet, but it's eerie in its silence.

Phonecalls and notes have not been returned, though after the first day or two, people stopped leaving messages. Something about the emptiness of the house kept people's thoughts from settling there as an option for their loved ones' care. After the span of a week, the doors (usually kept unlocked because the house itself keeps intruders away somehow) click and snap shut at the click of midnight over into the new day.

The sign near the front door changes.

Post-life services are not currently available
at Peaceful Passing Funeral Home.
I apologize for the inconvenience
and wish you and your family
the best of wishes.

-M. (Proprietress)

The only time the doors will open is if someone truly needs refuge and has nowhere else to go. Then the house will know, and the door will unlock only for them. Otherwise it sits, a quiet witness to the neighborhood's comings and goings, dark and silent.]

[Locked to Lyra V]
Thursday I am making crawfish étouffée and artichoke bisque. I will make some for you.

[Locked to Wren H]
Happy Thanksgiving, ma cousine.

[Tuesday evening-ish.]

[batfam lock]

Jonathan Crane is slated to be released next week. Regardless of past indiscretions and the potential risk, it seems as though this will indeed come to pass. I do, however, have a way to keep tabs on him. I thought you all should be aware before.

[iris m.]

I'm sorry I wasn't available before, Iris. Luke currently needs more time than I do.

[After the above, shhh.]

[comm to eddie n.]

Beeeeeeeeeep beep, Bats calling.